Nashville To Remain Home Of Predators

Matt Bodenschatz | National Hockey League

Nov 7, 06:34 PM | Hype this story!

According to TSN.ca, the Nasvhille Predators will remain in town until 2011.

The news comes after an agreement was reached between the city of Nashville and a group of mostly local investors intending to purchase the team.

The agreement will rework the Predator’s arena lease and has eliminated a clause forcing the team to stay in Nashville if paid attendance averages a minimum of 14,000 people.

Faceoff Factor will have more on this story in the coming days.

Comments

  1. DaBich

    Nov 7, 08:58 PM

    Uh-oh. I smell a rat, and that rat’s name is Delbaggio. Hopefully, the “mostly” local investors is a majority that can keep the team right there!

  2. Matt Bodenschatz

    Nov 7, 10:25 PM

    Well, the team is there until 2011. That’s a start. “Boots,” as they call him, is involved and has brought a buddy on board as well, but right now, from what I understand, he doesn’t hold a majority. That can change, of course, but I’m just glad to see the team stay until 2011.

  3. spiker97

    Nov 7, 11:52 PM

    I think “Boots” will get his expansion team, and both Nashville and Florida will stay where they belong. Especially the Preds. They belong where they are. Unfortunately now, the team needs to be rebuilt again, do hopefully they can generate some more revenue.

    I think a 32 team NHL is not too far away, if all of these other problems can resolve themselves. Remember, money talks. There is only so long that the owners will resist the stream of revenues from expansion. I’d say within three years {but not until after the 2010 Olympics} you will see this.

    It doesn’t look as if the Islanders {also could have been a threat to move as they still have building issues} are going anywhere either.

  4. Jon

    Nov 8, 11:11 AM

    I don’t care if there are 30 or 32 teams, I just think that Canada needs at least 1 more team. Whether some southern team is sold or moves or the league expands, Winnipeg or some other city north of the border need a team, we need more DIEHARD hockey fans involved in this league. And sadly, Nashville or Las Vegas are not going to really cut it.

  5. Matt Bodenschatz

    Nov 8, 11:35 AM

    Thanks Spiker and Jon. I agree that expansion is in the near future, as I believe Bettman is looking for a four-division NHL. My bet for expansion markets (at this point) would be Kansas City, as they have an arena waiting, and Hamilton, as Jim Balsillie seems determined to own a team in that city.

    Now, if the NHL wants to do it right, they will revert to the original Wales and Campbell Conferences with the original division names and formations (as much as possible).

Commenting is closed for this article.